»Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Friday, June 10, 2005 at 3:09 PM EST

Brian Kelley of AudioWrestling.com sent in the following recap...

AudioWrestling.com interview recap: Shane Douglas final comments heading into tonight's Hardcore Homecoming from MNM show!

“The Franchise” Shane Douglas was a guest on the 6/9/05 edition of Monday Night Mayhem which can be heard in streaming audio every week, exclusively on the AudioWrestling.com site, the exclusive legal home of the "Spring Break Incident" VOD featuring Stacy Keibler!

The interview with Shane Douglas is now available to hear for FREE in Real Audio only at AudioWrestling.com!

Here are highlights from the interview provided by the show's co-host, Shawn Walters ("The Angry Hero"), of www.MondayNightMayhem.com & www.AudioWrestling.com.

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The Big Mosh & The Angry Hero welcome “The Franchise” Shane Douglas to the program, talking about Hardcore Homecoming, taking place at the “The Arena” on Friday, June 10th. Shane is really excited to be getting word out about HH as well as his thoughts on the recent boom of ECW nostalgia. Right off the bat, Shane talks about his main event match at Hardcore Homecoming with Terry Funk and Sabu. He was intimidated at the idea originally of doing the match, given the physical condition of the competitors as compared to 1994. Regardless, Shane feels he, Terry and Sabu are all “smarter workers” these days and fans will not be disappointed by the outcome.

Shane discusses how it was important to let bygones be bygones in bringing in Francine to his corner at Hardcore Homecoming. “What’s good for the fans is what’s good for the family” he says, describing the “cathartic” feeling there is in putting the past behind them. Shane feels having Francine in his corner is essential to the authenticity of the event.

After giving a positive update on Sabu’s physical condition for the show, Shane touches upon the process as to which he was able to get former ECW talent to appear at the event. A lot of guys he has been in consistent contact with, where as certain talent (i.e.: Mustapha) have been elusive. Shane assures the fans that the Hardcore Homecoming staff has made every attempt possible to get as much of the old ECW crew together, as opposed to the lackluster efforts by the WWE for One Night Stand.

Shane admits he was upset with Vince McMahon and the WWE for using his Franchise likeness and the Triple Threat on the Rise & Fall of ECW DVD without his permission. He compares the WWE release as doing a “documentary of the Godfather without Marlon Brando.”, seeing how it excluded comments from key players in ECW history. Shane goes on to put over the goodness of the forthcoming Forever Hardcore DVD, saying that it will include wrestlers not included in the WWE DVD as well as more in-depth look into the promotion.

Shane confirms there will not be any original ECW merchandise due to copyrights but there will be plenty of quality memorabilia available. Overall, he wants to make the fans feel that when they leave the arena late Friday night, they will feel like its 1994 again, not 2005.

Shane doesn’t think that not being able to use the ECW name in the promotion of Hardcore Homecoming was detrimental in getting the event good publicity. The fans are able to see who is on the card and know it’s the real deal, even if it was called “Extreme CRAPPY Wrestling.” Overall, Shane hasn’t seen any negative feedback to Hardcore Homecoming and is very appreciative of the fans standing by the event.

Shane puts over the production values of the Forever Hardcore DVD and goes on to break down some of the costs involved in putting Hardcore Homecoming together. Shane says ECW fans don’t want to see WWE-exclusive personalities on One Night Stand, but if Vince asked him to book the WWE show, Shane would have done it exactly like its being done right now. He thinks Vince’s approach to the PPV is making Shane’s no-nonsense, no-frills take on Hardcore Homecoming look all the more legitimate in the fans’ eyes.

Shane is frustrated at the trepidation of the WWE in supporting the ECW product, especially if the PPV itself doesn’t do well financially. He feels if the show is good, then the WWE will say it’s because of THEIR wrestlers, but if it’s bad, then the blame will be on the ECW stars. That alone makes Shane more vindictive to make Hardcore Homecoming an even better event for the fans and upstage the WWE show.

In addressing Angry Hero’s inquiry about a Hardcore Homecoming tour, Shane says it will happen only if the FANS want it, as opposed to being forced to the fans. He wants the former ECW wrestlers unable to appear at HH to be able to partake in the financial and emotional experience of the reunion shows. Shane has tremendous confidence in the ECW product (where as Vince has none) and is overwhelmed by the vocal support of the fans in getting ECW back into the limelight.

Shane makes some corrections to the Hardcore Homecoming card itself, stating that Ian Rotten will NOT be teaming with Axl Rotten and Chris Chetti against the FBI, as previously stated. Instead, it will be Jason Knight taking Ian’s spot although Shane says that he doesn’t put it past Ian to make an unannounced appearance at the show. He goes on to talk about the Kid Kash/Scorpio bout, saying it was originally Chris Candido in Kash’s place, but due to Chris’s death, that had to change. Shane reminisces briefly about Chris and says Candido would have approved of Kash taking his place against Scorpio.

Shane gives props to Rob Van Dam’s recent comments to the press, criticizing the WWE’s take on the ECW PPV and its legacy. He’s proud to see RVD have the “cajones” to say what’s on his mind, despite the trouble it will cause him backstage and urges the fans to support RVD in his comments. Shane flat out says if TNA were to have RVD on their roster, they could make money with him and fully realize his star potential.

Shane touches upon the whole Kurt Angle/Tazz angle from Smackdown! , agreeing with Mosh that it actually has a correlation to ECW dating back to 1996. He bashes the WWE for not being able to realize Tazz’s true potential as a competitor, only being turned off by his short stature.

In addition to Hardcore Homecoming, Shane is also excited about his appearance at the Ring of Honor show the afternoon of One Night Stand in New York City. He is a big fan of the ROH product and can’t wait to appreciate the show just like the rest of the crowd. Shane is psyched to have some unabated mic time at the show, saying it has been a long time since the “Franchise” has truly spoken his mind.

On the topic of Lance Storm, Shane puts him over as a “hell of a guy” and is amazed at the fact that the WWE couldn’t find something worthwhile for Lance to do during his WWE stay. Shane even goes so far to say Lance could outwork 99% of the roster, including Chris Benoit.

Shane responds to Mosh’s inquiry as to if Bam Bam Bigelow will be appearing at Hardcore Homecoming. Shane hasn’t heard from Bam Bam in quite some time and is concerned for his physical and mental well-being (mainly due to a recent divorce). They tried to get Bam Bam involved in HH from the early going but now Shane just wants to know if he’s doing ok.

Shane would of liked to of had Mick Foley involved with Hardcore Homecoming but he understands Mick’s commitments to his family and WWE make that unlikely, Overall, he wishes guys like Tommy Dreamer, Bam Bam, and Tazz were able to partake in the show. Mosh asks about Mike Awesome, to which Shane says it has been unsuccessful in attempts to contact him. Regardless, Shane thinks the fans will be excited about all the surprises lined up for HH, much like a “kid on X-Mas morning.”

After giving his thoughts on the surreal moment of seeing Eric Bischoff, Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman together in the ring on RAW, Shane thanks the fans for allowing himself and all the other wrestlers involved making this Hardcore Homecoming event a reality and they will not be disappointed. Be sure to check it out yourself over at www.hardcorehomecoming.com!!

Make sure to check out next week’s program, as "The Summer Of Mayhem: Part Deux" rolls on with both TNA knockout Traci Brooks and TNA ring announcer Jeremy Borash making their returns to the Mayhem!!

You can hear the new show everyweek for free only at AudioWrestling.com - http://www.AudioWrestling.com.